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Pederson updates Ajayi, Sproles, other Eagles injuries

PHILADELPHIA — Alshon Jeffery hasn’t been cleared for contact yet, but the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver could be close to a return, coach Doug Pederson said Monday.

“He’s getting close,” Pederson said. “He’s getting close. We’ll get him in the mix again a little bit more this week and see, see where he’s at health-wise.”

Jeffery hasn’t played since Super Bowl LII. He played the entire 2017 season with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, and he had surgery in February to repair the injury. He returned to practice during Week 2, and Pederson said last week was a “big week” for the star wideout.

The Eagles listed Jeffery as “questionable” on their Week 3 injury report after he was a limited participant in practice. Jeffery’s return would boost an Eagles passing game that’s coming off its best performance of the young season in Carson Wentz’s return against the Indianapolis Colts.

Jeffery caught 57 passes for 789 yards and nine touchdowns last season. The Eagles signed him to a lucrative contract extension in December.

More info on Rodney McLeod coming

Eagles safety Rodney McLeod exited the 20-16 win over the Colts in the second half with a knee injury after he was struck by teammate Jalen Mills while attempting to make a tackle. He didn’t return to the game, though the official announcement was that his return was “questionable.”

It will be a couple days before the extent of the injury and the status of McLeod is known.

“We’re still honestly evaluating him today, probably tomorrow, and I’ll probably have a better update for you on Wednesday, quite honestly, so he’s still being evaluated,” Pederson said.

No. 3 safety Corey Graham replaced McLeod in the lineup next to Malcolm Jenkins. The Eagles also have Deiondre’ Hall, who has played a handful of special teams snaps since the Birds acquired him from the Chicago Bears earlier this month, on the roster and Tre Sullivan on the practice squad, incase the team needs more safety help.

Sproles, Ajayi could return soon

The Eagles leaned on Wendell Smallwood, Corey Clement and Josh Adams in the running game Sunday. They performed well, combining to rush for 142 yards on 4.4 yards per carry in the victory. And that rushing attack could get a boost soon, too.

Pederson said running backs Jay Ajayi (back) and Darren Sproles(hamstring) could return to practice ahead of Sunday’s game at the Tennessee Titans if the week progresses smoothly. The Eagles will practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and the final determination on their availability for the Week 4 game would be made later in the week.

“They’re both day-to-day right now,” Pederson said. “We’ll evaluate them again tomorrow when the players are in and see, but I would expect, barring any setbacks, that they would both be available.”

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